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List of counties in Kentucky

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Counties of Kentucky
LocationCommonwealth of Kentucky
Number120
Populations2,313 (Robertson) – 772,144 (Jefferson)
Areas100 square miles (260 km2) (Robertson) – 788 square miles (2,040 km2) (Pike)
Government

There are 120 counties in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Despite ranking 37th in size by area, Kentucky has 120 counties, fourth among states (including Virginia's independent cities).[1] The original motivation for having so many counties was to ensure that residents in the days of poor roads and horseback travel could make a round trip from their home to the county seat in a single day, as well as being able to travel from one county seat to the next in the same fashion. Later, however, politics began to play a part, with citizens who disagreed with their county government petitioning the state to create a new county.[2] Today, 22 of the 120 counties have fewer than 10,000 residents, and half have fewer than 20,000. The 20 largest counties by population all have populations of 49,000 or higher, and just 7 of the 120 have a population of 100,000 or higher. The average county population, based on the estimated 2023 state population of 4.526 million, was 37,718.

Following concerns of too many counties,[2] the 1891 Kentucky Constitution placed stricter limits on county creation, stipulating that a new county:

  • must have a land area of at least 400 square miles (1,036 km2);
  • must have a population of at least 12,000 people;
  • must not by its creation reduce the land area of an existing county to less than 400 square miles;
  • must not by its creation reduce the population of an existing county to fewer than 12,000 people;
  • must not create a county boundary line that passes within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of an existing county seat.

These regulations have reined in the proliferation of counties in Kentucky. Since the 1891 Constitution, only McCreary County has been legally created, in 1912. The General Assembly's creation of Beckham County in 1904 was ruled unconstitutional.[3] Because today's largest county by area, Pike County, is 788 square miles (2,041 km2), it is only still possible to form a new county from portions of more than one existing county; McCreary County was formed in this manner, from parts of Wayne, Pulaski and Whitley counties.

Kentucky was originally a single county in Virginia, created in 1776. In 1780, Kentucky County was divided into Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties. Kentucky was admitted as a state in 1792, when it had nine counties.[4]

Each county has a legislative council called the fiscal court;[5] despite the name, it no longer has any responsibility for judicial proceedings.[6] The county judge/executive, the head of government of the county, is an ex officio member of the fiscal court and its presiding officer. Constitutionally, the fiscal court may either be composed of the magistrates for the county or of three commissioners elected from the county at large.[5][7]

The largest city in Kentucky, Louisville, is a consolidated local government under KRS 67C. When the Louisville Metro government was formed, all incorporated cities in Jefferson County, apart from Louisville, retained their status as cities; however, the Louisville Metro Council is the main government for the entire county, and is elected by residents in all of Jefferson County. [7] The second largest, Lexington, is an urban-county government under KRS 67A. Lexington and Fayette County are completely merged and there are no separate incorporated cities within the county.[7] In both of these counties, while Lexington and Louisville city governments govern their respective counties, a county judge/executive is still elected, as required by Kentucky's Constitution, but does not have substantive powers.[7][8]

The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, which is used by the United States government to uniquely identify counties, is provided with each entry; for Kentucky, the codes start with 21 and are completed with the three digit county code. The FIPS code for each county links to census data for that county.

Counties

[edit]
County
FIPS code County seat[9] Est.[9] Formed from[10] Etymology[2] Population
(2023)[11]
Area[9] Map
Adair County 001 Columbia 1802 Green County John Adair, eighth Governor of Kentucky (1820–24) 19,264 407 sq mi
(1,054 km2)
State map highlighting Adair County
Allen County 003 Scottsville 1815 Barren County and Warren County John Allen (1771–1813), hero of the Battle of Frenchtown in the War of 1812 21,788 346 sq mi
(896 km2)
State map highlighting Allen County
Anderson County 005 Lawrenceburg 1827 Franklin County, Washington County and Mercer County Richard Clough Anderson, Jr., Kentucky and United States legislator (1817–21) 24,613 203 sq mi
(526 km2)
State map highlighting Anderson County
Ballard County 007 Wickliffe 1842 Hickman County and McCracken County Bland Ballard (1761–1853), hero of the Battle of Fallen Timbers and Battle of River Raisin 7,582 251 sq mi
(650 km2)
State map highlighting Ballard County
Barren County 009 Glasgow 1798 Green County and Warren County The Barrens, a region of grassland in Kentucky 45,008 491 sq mi
(1,272 km2)
State map highlighting Barren County
Bath County 011 Owingsville 1811 Montgomery County Medicinal springs located within the county 12,975 279 sq mi
(723 km2)
State map highlighting Bath County
Bell County 013 Pineville 1867 Harlan County and Knox County Joshua Fry Bell, Kentucky legislator (1862–67) 23,317 361 sq mi
(935 km2)
State map highlighting Bell County
Boone County 015 Burlington 1798 Campbell County Daniel Boone (1734–1820), frontiersman 140,496 246 sq mi
(637 km2)
State map highlighting Boone County
Bourbon County 017 Paris 1785 Fayette County House of Bourbon, European royal house 20,134 291 sq mi
(754 km2)
State map highlighting Bourbon County
Boyd County 019 Catlettsburg 1860 Greenup County, Carter County and Lawrence County Linn Boyd, United States Congressman (1835–37; 1839–55) and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (1859) 47,826 160 sq mi
(414 km2)
State map highlighting Boyd County
Boyle County 021 Danville 1842 Lincoln County and Mercer County John Boyle, Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals (1810–26) 30,988 182 sq mi
(471 km2)
State map highlighting Boyle County
Bracken County 023 Brooksville 1796 Mason County and Campbell County William Bracken, trapper and frontiersman 8,426 203 sq mi
(526 km2)
State map highlighting Bracken County
Breathitt County 025 Jackson 1839 Clay County, Perry County and Estill County John Breathitt, eleventh Governor of Kentucky (1832–34) 12,953 495 sq mi
(1,282 km2)
State map highlighting Breathitt County
Breckinridge County 027 Hardinsburg 1799 Hardin County John Breckinridge (1760–1806), Kentucky statesman and U.S. Senator 21,124 572 sq mi
(1,481 km2)
State map highlighting Breckinridge County
Bullitt County 029 Shepherdsville 1796 Jefferson County and Nelson County Alexander Scott Bullitt, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (1800–04) 84,863 299 sq mi
(774 km2)
State map highlighting Bullitt County
Butler County 031 Morgantown 1810 Logan County and Ohio County Richard Butler (1743–91), Revolutionary War general 12,375 428 sq mi
(1,109 km2)
State map highlighting Butler County
Caldwell County 033 Princeton 1809 Livingston County John Caldwell, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (1804) 12,551 347 sq mi
(899 km2)
State map highlighting Caldwell County
Calloway County 035 Murray 1822 Hickman County Richard Callaway (1724–80), pioneer 38,280 386 sq mi
(1,000 km2)
State map highlighting Calloway County
Campbell County 037 Alexandria
and Newport
1794 Harrison County, Mason County and Scott County John Campbell (1735–99), Revolutionary War colonel 93,702 152 sq mi
(394 km2)
State map highlighting Campbell County
Carlisle County 039 Bardwell 1886 Hickman County John G. Carlisle, United States legislator (1877–89) and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives 4,704 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
State map highlighting Carlisle County
Carroll County 041 Carrollton 1838 Gallatin County, Trimble County, and Henry county Charles Carroll (1737–1832), last living signer of the Declaration of Independence 10,987 130 sq mi
(337 km2)
State map highlighting Carroll County
Carter County 043 Grayson 1838 Greenup County and Lawrence County William Grayson Carter, Kentucky state senator (1834–38) 26,366 411 sq mi
(1,064 km2)
State map highlighting Carter County
Casey County 045 Liberty 1806 Lincoln County William Casey (1754–1816), Revolutionary War colonel 15,918 446 sq mi
(1,155 km2)
State map highlighting Casey County
Christian County 047 Hopkinsville 1796 Logan County William Christian (1743–86), Revolutionary War soldier and founder of Louisville, Kentucky 72,032 721 sq mi
(1,867 km2)
State map highlighting Christian County
Clark County 049 Winchester 1792 Bourbon County and Fayette County George Rogers Clark (1752–1818), Revolutionary War general 37,304 254 sq mi
(658 km2)
State map highlighting Clark County
Clay County 051 Manchester 1807 Madison County, Floyd County, and Knox County Green Clay (1757–1828), Revolutionary War general and western surveyor 19,648 471 sq mi
(1,220 km2)
State map highlighting Clay County
Clinton County 053 Albany 1835 Cumberland County and Wayne County DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York (1817–23) 9,148 198 sq mi
(513 km2)
State map highlighting Clinton County
Crittenden County 055 Marion 1842 Livingston County John Jordan Crittenden, seventeenth Governor of Kentucky (1848–50) 8,974 362 sq mi
(938 km2)
State map highlighting Crittenden County
Cumberland County 057 Burkesville 1798 Green County The Cumberland River, which flows through the county 6,000 306 sq mi
(793 km2)
State map highlighting Cumberland County
Daviess County 059 Owensboro 1815 Ohio County Joseph Hamilton Daveiss (1774–1811), lawyer killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe 103,458 462 sq mi
(1,197 km2)
State map highlighting Daviess County
Edmonson County 061 Brownsville 1825 Hart County, Grayson County, and Warren County John Edmonson (1764–1813), military captain killed at the Battle of Frenchtown 12,448 303 sq mi
(785 km2)
State map highlighting Edmonson County
Elliott County 063 Sandy Hook 1869 Morgan County, Lawrence County, and Carter County John Milton Elliott (1820–85), U.S. Representative from Kentucky 7,245 234 sq mi
(606 km2)
State map highlighting Elliott County
Estill County 065 Irvine 1808 Clark County and Madison County James Estill (1750–82), military captain killed at the Battle of Little Mountain 13,936 254 sq mi
(658 km2)
State map highlighting Estill County
Fayette County 067 Lexington 1780 Kentucky County Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), French-born Revolutionary War general 320,154 284 sq mi
(736 km2)
State map highlighting Fayette County
Fleming County 069 Flemingsburg 1798 Mason County John Fleming (1735–91), frontiersman and one of the county's original settlers 15,442 351 sq mi
(909 km2)
State map highlighting Fleming County
Floyd County 071 Prestonsburg 1800 Fleming County, Montgomery County, and Mason County John Floyd (1750–83), surveyor and pioneer 34,423 394 sq mi
(1,020 km2)
State map highlighting Floyd County
Franklin County 073 Frankfort 1794 Mercer County, Shelby County, and Woodford County Benjamin Franklin (1706–90), signer of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Founding Father 51,644 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Fulton County 075 Hickman 1845 Hickman County Robert Fulton (1765–1815), inventor of the first commercially successful steamboat 6,338 209 sq mi
(541 km2)
State map highlighting Fulton County
Gallatin County 077 Warsaw 1798 Franklin County and Shelby County Albert Gallatin, United States Secretary of the Treasury (1801–14) 8,792 105 sq mi
(272 km2)
State map highlighting Gallatin County
Garrard County 079 Lancaster 1796 Madison County, Lincoln County, and Mercer County James Garrard, second Governor of Kentucky (1796–1804) 17,829 231 sq mi
(598 km2)
State map highlighting Garrard County
Grant County 081 Williamstown 1820 Pendleton County Samuel Grant (1762–89 or 94), John Grant (1754–1826), and Squire Grant (1764–1833), three of the county's earliest settlers 25,619 260 sq mi
(673 km2)
State map highlighting Grant County
Graves County 083 Mayfield 1824 Hickman County Benjamin F. Graves (1771–1813), army major killed at the Battle of Frenchtown 36,461 556 sq mi
(1,440 km2)
State map highlighting Graves County
Grayson County 085 Leitchfield 1810 Hardin County and Ohio County William Grayson (1740–90), aide to George Washington in the Revolutionary War and U.S. Senator from Virginia 26,825 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Grayson County
Green County 087 Greensburg 1792 Lincoln County and Nelson County Nathanael Greene (1742–86), Revolutionary War general 11,468 289 sq mi
(749 km2)
State map highlighting Green County
Greenup County 089 Greenup 1803 Mason County Christopher Greenup, third Governor of Kentucky (1804–08) 35,221 346 sq mi
(896 km2)
State map highlighting Greenup County
Hancock County 091 Hawesville 1829 Ohio County, Breckinridge County, and Daviess County John Hancock (1737–93), signer of the Declaration of Independence 8,920 189 sq mi
(490 km2)
State map highlighting Hancock County
Hardin County 093 Elizabethtown 1792 Nelson County John Hardin (1753–92), pioneer 112,273 628 sq mi
(1,627 km2)
State map highlighting Hardin County
Harlan County 095 Harlan 1819 Knox County Silas Harlan (1753–82), army major in the Battle of Blue Licks 25,324 467 sq mi
(1,210 km2)
State map highlighting Harlan County
Harrison County 097 Cynthiana 1793 Bourbon County and Scott County Benjamin Harrison (1726–91), co-author of the Kentucky Constitution 19,415 310 sq mi
(803 km2)
State map highlighting Harrison County
Hart County 099 Munfordville 1819 Hardin County and Barren County Nathaniel G. S. Hart (1784–1813), army major and lawyer captured at the Battle of Frenchtown 19,724 416 sq mi
(1,077 km2)
State map highlighting Hart County
Henderson County 101 Henderson 1798 Christian County Richard Henderson (1734–85), founder of the Transylvania Company 44,119 440 sq mi
(1,140 km2)
State map highlighting Henderson County
Henry County 103 New Castle 1798 Shelby County Patrick Henry (1736–99), Revolutionary War-era legislator and U.S. founding father 15,973 289 sq mi
(749 km2)
State map highlighting Henry County
Hickman County 105 Clinton 1821 Christian County Paschal Hickman, military captain killed at the Battle of Frenchtown 4,447 244 sq mi
(632 km2)
State map highlighting Hickman County
Hopkins County 107 Madisonville 1806 Henderson County Samuel Hopkins (1753–1819), Revolutionary War general 44,929 551 sq mi
(1,427 km2)
State map highlighting Hopkins County
Jackson County 109 McKee 1858 Madison County, Estill County, Owsley County, Clay County, Laurel County, and Rockcastle County Andrew Jackson, President of the United States (1829–37) 13,104 346 sq mi
(896 km2)
State map highlighting Jackson County
Jefferson County 111 Louisville 1780 Kentucky County Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States (1801–09) 772,144 385 sq mi
(997 km2)
State map highlighting Jefferson County
Jessamine County 113 Nicholasville 1798 Fayette County Jessamine Creek, which contains a set of rapids that are the county's most well known natural feature 55,017 173 sq mi
(448 km2)
State map highlighting Jessamine County
Johnson County 115 Paintsville 1843 Floyd County, Lawrence County, and Morgan County Richard Mentor Johnson, Vice President of the United States (1837–41) 22,116 262 sq mi
(679 km2)
State map highlighting Johnson County
Kenton County 117 Covington and Independence 1840 Campbell County Simon Kenton (1755–1836), pioneer 171,321 163 sq mi
(422 km2)
State map highlighting Kenton County
Knott County 119 Hindman 1884 Perry County, Letcher County, Floyd County, and Breathitt County James Proctor Knott, twenty-ninth Governor of Kentucky (1883–87) 13,659 352 sq mi
(912 km2)
State map highlighting Knott County
Knox County 121 Barbourville 1799 Lincoln County Henry Knox, United States Secretary of War (1785–94) 29,794 388 sq mi
(1,005 km2)
State map highlighting Knox County
LaRue County 123 Hodgenville 1843 Hardin County John LaRue (1746–92), one of the county's original settlers and the grandfather of Governor John L. Helm 15,303 263 sq mi
(681 km2)
State map highlighting LaRue County
Laurel County 125 London 1825 Rockcastle County, Clay County, Knox County and Whitley County Mountain laurel trees that are prominent in the area 63,296 436 sq mi
(1,129 km2)
State map highlighting Laurel County
Lawrence County 127 Louisa 1821 Greenup County and Floyd County James Lawrence (1781–1813), naval commander during the War of 1812 16,000 419 sq mi
(1,085 km2)
State map highlighting Lawrence County
Lee County 129 Beattyville 1870 Breathitt County, Estill County, Owsley County, and Wolfe County Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), a confederate general during the Civil War 7,293 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
State map highlighting Lee County
Leslie County 131 Hyden 1878 Clay County, Harlan County and Perry County Preston Leslie, twenty-sixth Governor of Kentucky (1871–75) 9,864 404 sq mi
(1,046 km2)
State map highlighting Leslie County
Letcher County 133 Whitesburg 1842 Perry County and Harlan County Robert P. Letcher, fifteenth Governor of Kentucky (1840–44) 20,423 339 sq mi
(878 km2)
State map highlighting Letcher County
Lewis County 135 Vanceburg 1806 Mason County Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809), explorer 12,973 484 sq mi
(1,254 km2)
State map highlighting Lewis County
Lincoln County 137 Stanford 1780 Kentucky County Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), Revolutionary War general 24,776 337 sq mi
(873 km2)
State map highlighting Lincoln County
Livingston County 139 Smithland 1799 Christian County Robert Livingston (1746–1813), one of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence 8,892 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
State map highlighting Livingston County
Logan County 141 Russellville 1792 Lincoln County Benjamin Logan (1742–1802), Revolutionary War general 28,283 556 sq mi
(1,440 km2)
State map highlighting Logan County
Lyon County 143 Eddyville 1854 Caldwell County Chittenden Lyon, United States Representative from Kentucky (1827–35) 9,187 216 sq mi
(559 km2)
State map highlighting Lyon County
McCracken County 145 Paducah 1825 Hickman County Virgil McCracken, military captain killed at the Battle of Frenchtown 67,428 251 sq mi
(650 km2)
State map highlighting McCracken County
McCreary County 147 Whitley City 1912 Pulaski County, Wayne County, Whitley County James McCreary, thirty-seventh Governor of Kentucky (1912–16) 17,050 428 sq mi
(1,109 km2)
State map highlighting McCreary County
McLean County 149 Calhoun 1854 Daviess County, Muhlenberg County and Ohio County Alney McLean (1815–17; 1819–21), United States Representative from Kentucky 9,054 254 sq mi
(658 km2)
State map highlighting McLean County
Madison County 151 Richmond 1785 Lincoln County James Madison, President of the United States (1809–17) 96,735 441 sq mi
(1,142 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Magoffin County 153 Salyersville 1860 Floyd County, Johnson County and Morgan County Beriah Magoffin, twenty-first Governor of Kentucky (1859–62) 11,228 310 sq mi
(803 km2)
State map highlighting Magoffin County
Marion County 155 Lebanon 1834 Washington County Francis Marion (1732–95), Revolutionary War general 19,834 347 sq mi
(899 km2)
State map highlighting Marion County
Marshall County 157 Benton 1842 Calloway County John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1801–35) 31,744 305 sq mi
(790 km2)
State map highlighting Marshall County
Martin County 159 Inez 1870 Floyd County, Johnson County, Pike County, and Lawrence County John P. Martin, United States Congressman from Kentucky (1845–47) 10,928 231 sq mi
(598 km2)
State map highlighting Martin County
Mason County 161 Maysville 1788 Bourbon County George Mason (1725–92), statesman known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights" 16,841 241 sq mi
(624 km2)
State map highlighting Mason County
Meade County 163 Brandenburg 1823 Breckinridge County and Hardin County James Meade, military captain killed at the Battle of Frenchtown 30,131 308 sq mi
(798 km2)
State map highlighting Meade County
Menifee County 165 Frenchburg 1869 Bath County, Montgomery County, Morgan County, Powell County and Wolfe County Richard H. Menefee, United States Congressman from Kentucky (1837–39) 6,286 204 sq mi
(528 km2)
State map highlighting Menifee County
Mercer County 167 Harrodsburg 1785 Lincoln County Hugh Mercer (1726–77), Revolutionary War hero who was killed at the Battle of Princeton 23,097 251 sq mi
(650 km2)
State map highlighting Mercer County
Metcalfe County 169 Edmonton 1860 Barren County, Hart County, Green County, Adair County, Cumberland County and Monroe County Thomas Metcalfe, tenth Governor of Kentucky (1828–32) 10,482 291 sq mi
(754 km2)
State map highlighting Metcalfe County
Monroe County 171 Tompkinsville 1820 Barren County and Cumberland County James Monroe, President of the United States (1817–25) 11,306 331 sq mi
(857 km2)
State map highlighting Monroe County
Montgomery County 173 Mount Sterling 1796 Clark County Richard Montgomery (1736–75), military general killed at the Battle of Quebec 28,527 199 sq mi
(515 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Morgan County 175 West Liberty 1822 Bath County and Floyd County Daniel Morgan (1736–1802), Revolutionary War general 14,283 381 sq mi
(987 km2)
State map highlighting Morgan County
Muhlenberg County 177 Greenville 1798 Christian County and Logan County Peter Muhlenberg (1746–1807), Revolutionary War general 30,568 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Muhlenberg County
Nelson County 179 Bardstown 1784 Jefferson County Thomas Nelson, Jr. (1738–89), signer of the Declaration of Independence 47,730 423 sq mi
(1,096 km2)
State map highlighting Nelson County
Nicholas County 181 Carlisle 1799 Mason County and Bourbon County George Nicholas (1743–99), Revolutionary War colonel 7,686 197 sq mi
(510 km2)
State map highlighting Nicholas County
Ohio County 183 Hartford 1798 Hardin County The Ohio River, which formed the county's northern border until the creation of Daviess and Hancock counties 23,626 594 sq mi
(1,538 km2)
State map highlighting Ohio County
Oldham County 185 La Grange 1823 Henry County, Jefferson County and Shelby County William Oldham (1753–91), Revolutionary War colonel 70,183 189 sq mi
(490 km2)
State map highlighting Oldham County
Owen County 187 Owenton 1819 Franklin County, Gallatin County and Scott County Abraham Owen (1769–1811), killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe 11,313 352 sq mi
(912 km2)
State map highlighting Owen County
Owsley County 189 Booneville 1843 Breathitt County, Clay County, and Estill County William Owsley, Kentucky Secretary of State and later Governor of Kentucky (1844–48) 4,001 198 sq mi
(513 km2)
State map highlighting Owsley County
Pendleton County 191 Falmouth 1798 Campbell County and Bracken County Edmund Pendleton (1721–1803), member of the Continental Congress 14,810 280 sq mi
(725 km2)
State map highlighting Pendleton County
Perry County 193 Hazard 1820 Floyd County and Clay County Oliver Hazard Perry (1785–1819), Admiral in the War of 1812 27,133 342 sq mi
(886 km2)
State map highlighting Perry County
Pike County 195 Pikeville 1821 Floyd County Zebulon Pike (1779–1813), western explorer and discoverer of Pike's Peak 55,973 788 sq mi
(2,041 km2)
State map highlighting Pike County
Powell County 197 Stanton 1852 Clark County, Estill County, and Montgomery County Lazarus Whitehead Powell, nineteenth Governor of Kentucky (1851–55) 12,972 180 sq mi
(466 km2)
State map highlighting Powell County
Pulaski County 199 Somerset 1798 Green County and Lincoln County Casimir Pulaski (1746–79), Polish-born Revolutionary War soldier killed at the Battle of Savannah 66,191 662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
State map highlighting Pulaski County
Robertson County 201 Mount Olivet 1867 Bracken County, Harrison County, Mason County, and Nicholas County George Robertson, chief justice of the Kentucky court of appeals (1828–43) 2,313 100 sq mi
(259 km2)
State map highlighting Robertson County
Rockcastle County 203 Mount Vernon 1810 Lincoln County, Madison County, Knox County and Pulaski County Rockcastle River, the boundary between Rockcastle and Laurel County 16,190 318 sq mi
(824 km2)
State map highlighting Rockcastle County
Rowan County 205 Morehead 1856 Fleming County and Morgan County John Rowan, Congressman from Kentucky (1809–11; 1825–31)) 24,409 281 sq mi
(728 km2)
State map highlighting Rowan County
Russell County 207 Jamestown 1825 Adair County, Wayne County and Cumberland County William Russell (1758–1825), pioneer and state legislator 18,279 254 sq mi
(658 km2)
State map highlighting Russell County
Scott County 209 Georgetown 1792 Woodford County Charles Scott (Governor of Kentucky), Revolutionary war general and later Governor of Kentucky (1808–12) 60,168 285 sq mi
(738 km2)
State map highlighting Scott County
Shelby County 211 Shelbyville 1792 Jefferson County Isaac Shelby, first Governor of Kentucky (1792–96; 1812–16) 49,515 384 sq mi
(995 km2)
State map highlighting Shelby County
Simpson County 213 Franklin 1819 Allen County, Logan County and Warren County John Simpson, military captain killed at the Battle of Frenchtown 20,195 236 sq mi
(611 km2)
State map highlighting Simpson County
Spencer County 215 Taylorsville 1824 Nelson County, Shelby County, and Bullitt County Spier Spencer, military captain killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe 20,531 186 sq mi
(482 km2)
State map highlighting Spencer County
Taylor County 217 Campbellsville 1848 Green County Zachary Taylor, President of the United States (1849–50) 26,443 270 sq mi
(699 km2)
State map highlighting Taylor County
Todd County 219 Elkton 1819 Logan County and Christian County John Todd (1750–82), military colonel killed at the Battle of Blue Licks 12,494 376 sq mi
(974 km2)
State map highlighting Todd County
Trigg County 221 Cadiz 1820 Christian County and Caldwell County Stephen Trigg (1744–82), military colonel killed at the Battle of Blue Licks 14,369 443 sq mi
(1,147 km2)
State map highlighting Trigg County
Trimble County 223 Bedford 1837 Gallatin County, Henry County and Oldham County Robert Trimble, Associate Supreme Court Justice (1826–28) 8,607 149 sq mi
(386 km2)
State map highlighting Trimble County
Union County 225 Morganfield 1811 Henderson County Unanimous decision of the residents to unite together and create a new county 13,106 345 sq mi
(894 km2)
State map highlighting Union County
Warren County 227 Bowling Green 1796 Logan County Joseph Warren (1741–75), Revolutionary War general 142,229 545 sq mi
(1,412 km2)
State map highlighting Warren County
Washington County 229 Springfield 1792 Jefferson County George Washington, President of the United States (1789–97) 12,267 301 sq mi
(780 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Wayne County 231 Monticello 1800 Pulaski County and Cumberland County Anthony Wayne (1745–96), Revolutionary War general 19,580 459 sq mi
(1,189 km2)
State map highlighting Wayne County
Webster County 233 Dixon 1860 Henderson County, Hopkins County, and Union County Daniel Webster, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and United States Secretary of State (1841–43; 1850–52) 12,726 335 sq mi
(868 km2)
State map highlighting Webster County
Whitley County 235 Williamsburg 1818 Knox County William Whitley (1749–1813), Kentucky pioneer 36,825 440 sq mi
(1,140 km2)
State map highlighting Whitley County
Wolfe County 237 Campton 1860 Breathitt County, Owsley County, and Powell County Nathaniel Wolfe (1808–65), member of the Kentucky General Assembly 6,282 223 sq mi
(578 km2)
State map highlighting Wolfe County
Woodford County 239 Versailles 1788 Fayette County William Woodford (1734–80), Revolutionary War general 27,268 191 sq mi
(495 km2)
State map highlighting Woodford County

Clickable map

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The map shown below is clickable; click on any county to be redirected to the page for that county, or use the text links shown above on this page.

Map of Kentucky's countiesFulton County, KentuckyHickman County, KentuckyCarlisle County, KentuckyBallard County, KentuckyGraves County, KentuckyMcCracken County, KentuckyLivingston County, KentuckyMarshall County, KentuckyCalloway County, KentuckyTrigg County, KentuckyLyon County, KentuckyCrittenden County, KentuckyCaldwell County, KentuckyChristian County, KentuckyHopkins County, KentuckyWebster County, KentuckyUnion County, KentuckyHenderson County, KentuckyDaviess County, KentuckyMcLean County, KentuckyMuhlenberg County, KentuckyTodd County, KentuckyHancock County, KentuckyOhio County, KentuckyButler County, KentuckyWarren County, KentuckyLogan County, KentuckySimpson County, KentuckyAllen County, KentuckyBreckinridge County, KentuckyGrayson County, KentuckyEdmonson County, KentuckyMeade County, KentuckyHardin County, KentuckyHart County, KentuckyBarren County, KentuckyLaRue County, KentuckyMonroe County, KentuckyMetcalfe County, KentuckyGreen County, KentuckyBullitt County, KentuckyJefferson County, KentuckySpencer County, KentuckyNelson County, KentuckyCumberland County, KentuckyWashington County, KentuckyMarion County, KentuckyTaylor County, KentuckyAdair County, KentuckyClinton County, KentuckyWayne County, KentuckyRussell County, KentuckyMcCreary County, KentuckyPulaski County, KentuckyCasey County, KentuckyLincoln County, KentuckyBoyle County, KentuckyGarrard County, KentuckyMercer County, KentuckyAnderson County, KentuckyShelby County, KentuckyOldham County, KentuckyWoodford County, KentuckyJessamine County, KentuckyFranklin County, KentuckyCarroll County, KentuckyHenry County, KentuckyTrimble County, KentuckyCampbell County, KentuckyKenton County, KentuckyBoone County, KentuckyGallatin County, KentuckyOwen County, KentuckyScott County, KentuckyFayette County, KentuckyGrant County, KentuckyWhitley County, KentuckyRockcastle County, KentuckyLaurel County, KentuckyKnox County, KentuckyClay County, KentuckyBell County, KentuckyOwsley County, KentuckyHarlan County, KentuckyLetcher County, KentuckyPerry County, KentuckyLeslie County, KentuckyPike County, KentuckyKnott County, KentuckyBreathitt County, KentuckyJackson County, KentuckyLee County, KentuckyEstill County, KentuckyMadison County, KentuckyPendleton County, KentuckyMagoffin County, KentuckyFloyd County, KentuckyWolfe County, KentuckyPowell County, KentuckyClark County, KentuckyBourbon County, KentuckyMontgomery County, KentuckyHarrison County, KentuckyBracken County, KentuckyRobertson County, KentuckyFleming County, KentuckyNicholas County, KentuckyBath County, KentuckyMenifee County, KentuckyMason County, KentuckyMartin County, KentuckyLawrence County, KentuckyJohnson County, KentuckyMorgan County, KentuckyLewis County, KentuckyGreenup County, KentuckyRowan County, KentuckyElliott County, KentuckyCarter County, KentuckyBoyd County, Kentucky
Map of Kentucky's counties

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "States, Counties, and Statistically Equivalent Entities" (PDF). Census Bureau.
  2. ^ a b c Ireland, Robert M. (1992). "Counties". In Kleber, John E. (ed.). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. pp. 229–231. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
  3. ^ "Fiscal Court". County Government in Kentucky: Informational Bulletin No. 115. Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. 1996.
  4. ^ "Kentucky: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries". Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Newberry Library. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Section 144, Kentucky Constitution of 1891
  6. ^ "Boone County, Kentucky Fiscal Court". Archived from the original on July 25, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d "County Government In Kentucky" (PDF). Legislative Research Commission. 2016.
  8. ^ "Candidate wants to abolish Fayette County's judge-executive office". Lexington Herald-Leader. November 2, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c National Association of Counties. "NACo – Find A County". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  10. ^ "Kentucky: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Newberry Library. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.

Further reading

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  • Kleber, John E. Ed. The Kentucky encyclopedia (1992) online
  • WPA, Kentucky: A Guide to the Bluegrass State (1939); classic guide from the Federal Writers Project; covers main themes and describes every town and feature, with capsule histories online


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